Indispensable
Absolutely necessary; essential; cannot be done without.
adjectiveIndispensable
Absolutely necessary; essential; cannot be done without.
adjectiveImagine This
Imagine a surgeon about to begin a life-saving operation. The team realizes that a crucial instrument is indispensable to completing the procedure; without it, the operation cannot proceed and the patient’s life is at stake.
Sounds Like
IN-di-SPEN-suh-buhl
Looks Like
resembles 'essential' in meaning; visually it contains 'depend' and '-able', hinting at reliance.
Remember This
Indispensable comes from Latin indispensabilis meaning 'not able to be dispensed with.' Its noun form is indispensability, and the adverb form is indispensably.
Other Forms
Connect With
essential, crucial, vital, necessary, requisite, imperative
Note
Use with to or for: indispensable to/for. Do not confuse with dispensable (opposite) or with essential (slightly broader).
Study Deeper
- A reliable power supply is indispensable for data centers.
- In medical research, access to patient data can be indispensable for drawing valid conclusions.
From French indispensable, from Latin indispensabilis, in- (not) + dispensare (to dispense); literally, not able to be dispensed with.
IN-DIS-PENSE-ABLE: Break the word into in- + dispense + -able. Remember: if you can dispense with it, it isn't indispensable.
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Averse
adjectiveHaving a strong dislike or opposition to something; unwilling to do or engage in it.
Penchant
nounA strong liking or habitual tendency toward a particular thing; a tendency to do something.
Widespread
adjectiveWidely distributed or occurring over a large area; common throughout a region or population.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Adept
adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.